Eleanor Finch
Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first and only US president to be elected to four terms. In 1940, Roosevelt broke a long-held precedent by becoming the first president to be elected to a third term. He went on to win a fourth term in 1944. Roosevelt's unprecedented third-term election dominated his election campaign against the Republican contender, Wendell Wilkie. The Republicans campaigned heavily against a third-term president, and Roosevelt's subsequent victory led to talk about a presidential term-limits amendment. This eventually resulted in the 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution, which was passed in 1951. The amendment limits presidents to two terms. Roosevelt also attempted to reform the Supreme Court by introducing a plan to expand it and gain favourable votes. This court-packing proposal would have enabled Roosevelt to appoint six additional justices to the Supreme Court.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of third-term election win | November 5, 1940 |
| Number of terms served | 4 |
| Amendment passed to limit terms | 22nd Amendment |
| Date of amendment proposal | March 1947 |
| Date of amendment ratification | February 1951 |
| Number of terms allowed by amendment | 2 |
| FDR's plan to reform the Supreme Court | Judicial Procedures Reform Bill of 1937 |
| Number of additional justices FDR wanted to appoint | 6 |
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What You'll Learn
FDR's third-term election
Franklin Delano Roosevelt served as President of the United States from March 1933 until his death in April 1945. His 12-year tenure is the longest in American history.
FDR's unprecedented third-term election sparked concerns about the consolidation of power and the concept of a long-term president. These concerns, along with his eventual fourth-term election in 1944, led to the ratification of the 22nd Amendment in 1951. The 22nd Amendment limits presidents to two terms and was created to address the concerns raised by FDR's consecutive re-elections.
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FDR's fourth-term election
Franklin D. Roosevelt's fourth-term election on November 7, 1944, was unprecedented and controversial. Roosevelt's decision to seek a third and fourth term broke a long-standing precedent set by George Washington that limited presidents to eight years in office. While there were no formal laws written about term limits at the time, FDR's unprecedented move sparked debates about presidential term limits and the potential threat of a long-term presidency to democracy.
FDR's victory in the 1944 election was influenced by several factors. Firstly, he urged voters not to "change horses in mid-stream," appealing to their desire for stability during the ongoing war. Secondly, he effectively countered Republican attacks, often with humour and wit, as seen in his famous response to accusations about his dog Fala. Thirdly, FDR's New Deal policies and coalition-building had solidified support for the Democratic Party across diverse voter groups, including rural, urban, racial, religious, and ethnic groups. This "New Deal Coalition" powered the Democrats to majority status and provided a strong base for FDR's re-election.
The popular concern about long-term presidencies and the power of dictators overseas, such as Adolf Hitler and Mussolini, led to the ratification of the 22nd Amendment in 1951. This amendment limited presidents to two terms and was a direct response to FDR's four consecutive terms. The amendment states, "No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once."
While FDR's fourth-term election was historic and influenced by the unique circumstances of World War II, it also sparked important discussions about the balance between strong leadership and the potential threats to democracy posed by long-term presidencies. The 22nd Amendment was a direct result of these discussions and remains a significant aspect of the US constitutional order.
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FDR's attempts to reform the Supreme Court
Franklin D. Roosevelt's attempts to reform the Supreme Court, also known as his "court-packing plan", took place during the Great Depression. Roosevelt's New Deal program involved wide-ranging legislation that was passed with the help of congressional Democrats. However, by 1937, the Supreme Court had begun to strike down a number of these New Deal laws, with the conservative-leaning "Four Horsemen" justices—Justices George Sutherland, Pierce Butler, James McReynolds, and Willis Van Devanter—consistently voting against most New Deal plans.
In response, Roosevelt developed a plan to reform the court, working with his attorney general, Homer Cummings. The Judicial Procedures Reform Bill of 1937 would have allowed the President to appoint an additional justice for every sitting justice over 70 years old, potentially allowing Roosevelt to appoint six new justices. Roosevelt's plan was an attempt to ensure the court would rule in his favour on upcoming cases relating to Social Security and the National Labor Relations Act.
However, Roosevelt's court-packing plan was viewed as an "undemocratic power grab" and was ultimately unsuccessful. The plan was opposed by the Chief Justice, Charles Evans Hughes, who testified before Congress that the Court was up to date with its work and did not need additional justices. The bill was also opposed by Roosevelt's own party members and was defeated in the Senate.
Despite the failure of his court-packing plan, Roosevelt was eventually able to appoint nine members to the Supreme Court through attrition, and he outlasted seven of the nine justices who sat on the bench in 1937. While Roosevelt's attempt to reform the Supreme Court is often seen as a failure, some historians argue that it was a savvy move that ultimately shielded his legislative agenda from judicial interference.
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FDR's manipulation of public opinion
Franklin D. Roosevelt's leadership has been a subject of debate among scholars, with some arguing that he manipulated public opinion to his advantage. One of the most notable ways he did this was through his "
Roosevelt's communication strategy extended beyond radio. He held almost 1,000 freewheeling press conferences, attracting significant attention and allowing him to influence media narratives. Roosevelt was also a master of rhetoric, using his words to nudge and shape public opinion. For example, during his campaigns to repeal the arms embargo and institute a peacetime draft, he manipulated public sentiment to secure his policy objectives.
Another instance of Roosevelt's manipulation of public opinion was his response to the growing strength of the Axis Powers during World War II. Despite official American neutrality, Roosevelt found ways to aid countries fighting against the Axis, such as through his Lend-Lease program. This prompted criticism from isolationists, who accused him of being a warmonger. However, after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, much of this criticism was silenced as the nation united behind Roosevelt's leadership.
Roosevelt's actions during World War II also led to controversial domestic policies, such as Executive Order 9066, which authorised the internment of Japanese Americans. Roosevelt's decision was heavily influenced by the fear and racism prevalent in American society following the Pearl Harbor attack. While this decision was later deemed unconstitutional, contemporary polls showed that the majority of Americans supported the relocation of Japanese non-citizens, and nearly 60% supported the relocation of Japanese American citizens.
Additionally, Roosevelt's approach to the Supreme Court, known as his "court-packing" plan, further illustrates his manipulation of public opinion. During a critical period in 1937, Roosevelt sought to "pack" the Supreme Court with friendly personnel, which influenced the dynamics of public support for the Court and added to the evidence of the media's impact on shaping public attitudes.
In conclusion, while Franklin D. Roosevelt is known for his leadership during challenging times, his manipulation of public opinion through various means, including radio, the press, and rhetoric, has been a significant aspect of his legacy. His actions had both short-term and long-term consequences, shaping the political landscape and the relationship between the government and the people.
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FDR's legacy and the 22nd Amendment
Franklin D. Roosevelt's unprecedented third and fourth terms as president of the United States led to the creation of the 22nd Amendment, which limits the president's time in office to two terms. FDR's decision to run for a third term in 1940 broke a long-held precedent set by George Washington. This decision was made as the United States neared its entry into World War II, and FDR argued that he was running again to keep America out of the war in Europe.
The 22nd Amendment was passed in 1951, two years after FDR's death, to prevent any future president from serving more than two terms. The amendment reads: "No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once."
The creation of the 22nd Amendment was a direct response to FDR's unprecedented third and fourth terms as president. Before the 22nd Amendment, there was no constitutional limit to the number of terms a president could serve. However, there was a strong precedent set by George Washington that presidents should not serve more than two terms. FDR's decision to break this precedent caused concern among Americans, who were already worried about the rising power of dictators overseas, such as Adolf Hitler and Mussolini.
The 22nd Amendment has been the subject of debate and controversy since its creation. Some people argue that it infringes on democratic rights, while others believe it is necessary to prevent the abuse of power. There have been multiple efforts to repeal or alter the amendment, but none have been successful. The amendment has been ratified by the majority of states and is now a firm part of the US Constitution.
In conclusion, FDR's legacy is closely tied to the 22nd Amendment, which was created in direct response to his unprecedented third and fourth terms as president. The amendment has limited the power of the executive branch and ensured that no future president can serve more than two terms. The debate around the 22nd Amendment continues, with some arguing for its repeal or alteration, while others defend it as a necessary check on presidential power.
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Frequently asked questions
Franklin D. Roosevelt broke a long-held precedent set by George Washington when he became the first and only president to be elected to four terms. This led to the creation and ratification of the 22nd Amendment in 1951, limiting presidents to two terms.
The 22nd Amendment to the United States Constitution states: "No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once."
FDR's attempt to reform the federal court system, also known as "court-packing," was seen as an attempt to gain favourable votes. This proposal would have allowed FDR to appoint six additional justices to the Supreme Court.
